Denmark Implements Stricter Rules for Non-EU International Students

New Regulations Target Non-EU Student Intake

The Danish government has enacted a series of new rule changes designed to significantly limit the intake of international students from specific non-EU countries, often referred to as 'third countries'. These measures, largely effective from May 2, 2025, aim to ensure that student visas are used for genuine academic purposes rather than as a 'backdoor to the Danish labor market'.

The Ministry of Immigration and Integration announced these initiatives, stating it will be 'significantly more difficult' for international students from third countries, particularly Bangladesh and Nepal, to study at Danish universities if they 'do not have the right academic qualifications'.

Key Policy Changes and Their Impact

The new regulations introduce several stringent requirements and restrictions:

• Stricter Academic Entry Requirements: Universities will implement tighter academic prerequisites, potentially including entrance exams or targeted language tests for third-country students.
• Enhanced Document Verification: Universities are now mandated to conduct stringent verification of international students' educational documents before admission, with support from the National ID Center. There will also be a review of previously issued residence permits for students from Bangladesh and Nepal to assess for fraudulent documents.
• Restrictions on Family Reunification: International students will face limited opportunities to bring family members or dependents. For those in non-state-approved programs, the right to bring spouses, partners, or children has been removed for new applications from May 2, 2025.
• Shortened Post-Study Work Permits: The post-study work permit, previously valid for three years, will be shortened to one year for many international graduates. For students enrolled in non-state-approved higher education programs, the right to a post-study job-seeking period has been removed entirely.
• Work Restrictions During Study: Students from third countries enrolled in non-state-approved higher education programs will no longer be permitted to work during their studies.
• Higher Tuition Fees: Increased upfront tuition fees for third-country students are also expected to reduce interest from cost-sensitive countries.

These changes apply to applications submitted on or after May 2, 2025. Students who applied for or were granted residence permits before this date, particularly those in non-state-approved programs, will generally retain their existing rights, including limited work permits and family reunification options.

Rationale Behind the Government's Decision

The Danish government's rationale for these restrictions stems from concerns about the misuse of student visas. Minister of Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek (who was later replaced by Rasmus Stoklund), stated, 'Unfortunately, the curriculum has been exploited as a backdoor to the Danish labor market. We are now taking action against this.' The ministry cited a 'huge increase' in students and accompanying families from Bangladesh and Nepal, noting higher dropout rates, challenges with academic and language levels, and a tendency for these students to engage in unskilled work. Data from 2022-2024 showed that 74% of residence permits for Nepali students and 58% for Bangladeshi students were linked to accompanying family members, significantly higher than for students from other countries like China (1%) or the US (2%).

A survey by the Ministry for Higher Education and Research indicated that some students, particularly from Bangladesh, were not 'study-oriented' but primarily motivated by staying in Denmark. Universities like Roskilde University (RUC) and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) have been under scrutiny regarding their intake of international students, leading SDU to halt February admissions for non-EU students.